Edney Captures All-Around in Win Over UK

LEXINGTON, Ky. – After being inserted late into the floor lineup, freshman Kennedi Edney competed in the all-around for the first time in her collegiate career and captured the title to lead the second-ranked LSU gymnastics team to a 197.475-195.750 victory over No. 6 Kentucky Friday night at Memorial Coliseum.

The Tigers improved to 4-0 overall and 3-0 in conference. On the night, LSU set season highs on both beam and floor with scores of 49.475 and 49.550 respectively. With the win, LSU captured a score of 197 for the fourth-straight meet. Overall, the Tigers have scored a 197 team score or better in 12-straight meets dating back to last season.

Individually, Edney earned the all-around title with a score of 39.625. Senior Ashleigh Gnat captured vault for the Tigers with a 9.925. Edney finished in a tie for first with sophomore Lexie Priessman after scores of 9.925. Edney added another title on beam with a 9.95. Myia Hambrick also had a solid night with a 9.95 on floor to win the event and tie her career high.

D-D on the Victory Over the Wildcats“It was a great finish to the evening after a tough start,” head coach D-D Breaux said. “We finally found our groove and fought through some adversity. This team really got hot and began to put it together. We weren’t our very best but finished with some good scores.”

“Lexie (Priessman) and Kennedi were golden after being inserted into the lineup on floor. We did a lot of great tumbling and had some great landings. It was a nice rebound from a slow start. We finished on beam and had two great performances to start off. They put pressure on themselves and that is what you want in your team.”

Edney, Priessman Shine to BeginThe Tigers started out with a strong 49.350 on bars. Edney notched a career high 9.925 in the fourth spot. With that mark, Edney has now scored a career high on the event in each week. Priessman matched that score with a 9.925 in the anchor spot of the lineup. LSU also used a 9.85 from Sarah Finnegan and a pair of 9.825s by Shae Zamardi and Ruby Harrold.

Tigers Extend Lead with VaultLSU extended its lead to 98.450-97.700 after a 49.100 score on vault. Gnat anchored the event with a 9.925 for the title. Priessman and Edney also totaled scores of 9.850 and 9.825 respectively.

LSU Blows Away Floor LSU’s floor team finished with four scores of 9.90 or better on the night to finish with a 49.550. The new season high also marked the highest floor score on the road against an SEC opponent in school history. Hambrick dominated the event with her 9.95. Edney was inserted into the lineup at the last minute and scored a 9.925 in her first collegiate floor performance. Seniors Zamardi and Gnat also added scores of 9.90 for the Tigers.

Beam Seals the Win for the TigersWith eyes set on finishing out strong, the Tigers started out the event with a pair of 9.90 scores from Erin Macadaeg and Hambrick in the first and second spot. After a 9.875 by Sydney Ewing, Edney wrapped up her stellar night with a 9.95. Gnat closed out the meet for the Tigers with a 9.85 for a beam score of 49.475.

Next UpLSU returns to the Maravich Center Meet on Friday, February 3 against Missouri. Fans are encouraged to purchase their tickets ahead of time and arrive early for introductions at 7:10 p.m. The meet will be streamed live on WatchESPN.com through SECNetwork+

Fans can follow the Tigers on the team’s social media channels: @LSUgym on Instagram, Twitter and Snapchat, www.Facebook.com/lsugym and at YouTube.com/lsugymnastics.